Terroir doesn’t always get the respect it deserves. Some critics curl their lips at it, debating the impact “Bordeaux-like soils and terroir” really has on local land. Case and point of terroir, for this particular writer, is Susan Meredith and Frank Mitchell’s 104-acre, 23-year-old vineyard in the McMinnville AVA, Meredith Mitchell. Resting in the coastal foothills of the greater Willamette Valley, Meredith Mitchell only sells their fruit to a select (and mighty) few, including Ken Wright Cellars, Walter Scott Winery, Winderlea Winery and Raptor Ridge Winery. All of which pull a distinct characteristic from these grapes in their Pinot Noirs – hazelnuts and raspberries. Vintage after vintage and from varying producers, this quality comes through, particularly so with the 2010 Raptor Ridge Meredith Mitchell Vineyard Pinot Noir. Religiously using Pommard clones from the east-facing slopes of the vineyard, Raptor Ridge pulls fruit from the thinnest and rockiest broken basalt soils, resulting in a wine that screams with mineral tones, ripe and rich berry fruit, savory tea notes, dusted cocoa powder and, of course, hazelnut and raspberry. Think of a Nutella and raspberry sandwich and smile.
